E-cigarettes and personal vaporiser devices have exploded in popularity in recent times, with vaping becoming an almost mainstream activity.

Often used as a means to quitting smoking, vaping is accessible to everyone, offering a new way to try and kick the habit.

However, vaping is so much more than simply a way of stopping smoking and is increasingly being enjoyed as an activity in its own right. The subject has attracted much attention in the media and this has resulted in a lot of myths and mis-information being circulated.

How well do you know your vaping fact from fiction? Here’s a look at the real truths about e-cigarettes and vaping.

FACT OR FICTION? Both e-cigarettes and tobacco use is referred to as “smoking”

Using an e-cigarette or any kind of personal vaporiser device does not involve smoke in any way. Unlike a conventional tobacco cigarette, nothing is burnt so no smoke is created.

The cloud that you might see is actually vapour; this is caused by the heating up of a flavoured liquid. It’s this which is inhaled not smoke.

Tobacco cigars, cigarettes and roll-ups may be referred to as smoking, as the material is set alight and burnt. E-cigarettes and personal vaporisers simply heat liquid; therefore an individual indulging in this activity is “vaping” not smoking.

RESULT? Fiction.

FACT OR FICTION? E-cigarettes cause cancer just like tobacco

Many studies have been completed looking at the safety of vaping, and while more work is needed on the longer term effects, there’s absolutely nothing to suggest that vaping causes cancer, unlike smoking.

There are no carcinogens in the eJuice used by e-cigarettes, and there’s also not the toxic mix of hundreds of synthetic chemicals found in tobacco either. The only harmful ingredient found in a good quality eJuice is nicotine, and on its own, it doesn’t cause cancer. Nicotine is highly addictive but experts say its effect on the body is similar to caffeine.

RESULT? Fiction.

FACT OR FICTION? E-cigarettes contain nicotine

This is a somewhat less straightforward question to answer because they may contain nicotine, or they may be nicotine-free.

Vapers use something known as eJuice which comes in a vast number of flavours, and can be chopped and changed depending on the person’s desire. However, they also come in a range of different strengths, starting at no nicotine and then increasing in potency. This provides a great deal of flexibility over the strength of the eJuice used and be a much less painful way to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine being inhaled.

It also means that if you need more nicotine at certain times of the day, in the morning for example, you can opt for a stronger e Juice, switching to one with less nicotine in later in the afternoon.

If you’ve kicked your physical addiction to nicotine but still want the comfort of the hand to mouth action, you can opt for nicotine-free eJuice.

RESULT? Fact AND fiction.

FACT OR FICTION? E-cigarettes are the gateway to smoking

This is one of the major arguments levelled at vaping, with concerns that the fruity flavours may attract youngsters to start using the product, then moving on to smoking.

All the research carried out so far shows no signs at all that any individuals who have tried vaping later move on to smoking as a result. In fact, the reverse trend seems to be true; more cigarette smokers move onto vaping either to partially or completely replace their tobacco addiction.

RESULT? Fiction.

FACT OR FICTION? All vapers are ex-smokers who are still addicted and can’t totally quit

It’s certainly true that vaping can play a very significant role in helping individuals to quit smoking but their use is far greater than that.

Although some individuals may have started vaping in order to break their tobacco habit, they later decide to continue vaping even after they no longer feel the need to smoke. One of the reasons for this is because vaping is a very sociable activity, unlike smoking, and it is an activity which you can enjoy with friends. It also has no proven health risks and comes in a variety of flavours.

One interesting new development is the uptake of dieters who have never smoked before, but start vaping in order to help deal with food cravings. The huge range of strongly flavoured eJuices, which taste just like the real thing, can stop binges on puddings, sweets and cakes.

RESULT? Fiction.

Conclusion

The only way to really experience the satisfaction of vaping is to give it a try for yourself, with no proven health risks and a much safer alternative than smoking, there’s no reason not to give it a go!